CANDID CANDACE: Travel hot-spots Chicagoan’s want to go now
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Twinning at the Chicago Star Streeterville Week kick-off party May 21 at Mariano’s Lakeshore East with Giovanna Krozel, Jon and Andrew Landan and Almira Yllana. Photo by Amanda Wolf, prop by Kehoe Designs
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Chicago Streeterville Week Party. Photo by Kristan Leib
Star power on the rooftop Dear Chicago Star family, A post-pandemic explosion of culture, art, music and tourism hits Chicago this month. Throughout this issue (and every issue), we celebrate the city and the people who make it great. It feels good to see Chicagoans making travel plans again and we’re proud to present our first social event
page, City Seen, spotlighting one of the city’s very first in-person events hosted by The Joffrey Ballet and Neiman Marcus. Our Bulletin is filled to the brim with activities you and your family can enjoy and we hope you are moved by our human interest stories too. We want to serve up information that helps you love where you live, work and play. Our mission is to help
people connect to the wonderful resources Chicago has to offer. To that end, we invite you to make this paper your own and join our network of Chicago stars. Or sign up to be a member of our Star Club at chicagostarmedia.com/starclub to gain access to our extensive network. Send tips, stories, photos and advertising inquiries to info@chicagostarmedia.com.
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| THE BULLETIN |
A round up of Chicago's top stories Maggie Daley Park amenities return Several amenities at Maggie Daley Park reopened to the public at the end of May including the play garden, rock climbing wall, mini golf, scooter/roller blade ribbon, bungee and Rink Cafe. Tickets are required for the rock climbing wall and can be purchased online at maggiedaleypark. com. Up-to-date hours can be found on the park website.
Mask requirements ease for vaccinated people The City of Chicago is no longer requiring vaccinated individuals to wear masks in most settings, in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines. People are considered fully vaccinated if it has been at least two weeks since they received their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose or Johnson and Johnson single dose. All Chicagoans are still required to wear masks in schools, health care settings, public transportation and correctional/congregate settings.
Chic, Greek Avli debuts in Lakeshore East Avli on the Park, the fourth restaurant in Avli’s dining empire, is owned by Louie Alexakis, Bill Glastris and FOX 32 sports anchor Lou Canellis, in partnership with the Magellan Development Group. The new restaurant, at 180 N. Field Boulevard, is open seven days a week for dinner from 5-11 p.m., via online reservation system Tock.
Dessert ATM to come to The Shops at North Bridge The Bakery Box, a self-serve dessert ATM with a location in Burr Ridge, will open downtown at 47 E. Ohio St. this summer. The company’s menu features mini cakes in flavors such as black forest and strawberry milkshake, as well as packs of macarons.
Sistine Chapel exhibition brings Michelangelo’s work up close Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is going on now through Aug. 15 at Oakbrook Center, 2120 Oakbrook Center. Wander through the exhibition featuring up-close, life-sized, never before seen perspectives of the artist’s renowned 34 ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, artfully displayed in original size and perfectly reproduced in a way that allows each guest to see every detail, every brushstroke and every color. If a trip to Rome isn’t in your future, then this is the next best thing. chapelsistine.com
Chicago Pride Fest returns June 19-20. Photo courtesy of Chicago Pride Fest
Northalsted’s Market Days set for August return Northalsted Market Days, one of the Midwest’s largest street festivals, will return Aug. 6-8, adding a Friday night edition, the first in its 38-year history, according to the Northalsted Business Alliance. First held in August 1982, Market Days has grown to a half-mile long annual summer ritual on Chicago’s north side, featuring all-day lineups of live music and international DJs on 5 stages, 300 vendors, arts, crafts, wares, summer food and drinks, dancing in the street, and more. The overall flavor of the event is geared toward the LGBTQ community but is open to all. northalsted.com. Chicago Pride Fest will also return June 19-20 at Halsted and Waveland avenues, kicking off at 11 a.m.
Exhibition to bring $35 million of Banksy art to Chicago $35 million worth of Banksy art is coming to Chicago this summer, opening July 1. The world’s largest collection of privately-owned Banksy art features prints, canvasses, screen-prints, sculptures and limited-edition pieces dated between 1997 and 2008, including his iconic works “Girl with Balloon,” “Flower Thrower” and “Rude Copper.’ The event will be held at a yet-to-be-disclosed location in the West Loop. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 6 with prices starting at $40 for adults and $30 for children age 16 and younger. banksyexhibit.com
Bring on the Q! The Windy City Smokeout is set for July 8-11 in the United Center’s parking lot and will kick off Chicago’s summer festival season. The four-day event will feature headlining sets from country artists Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi. Windy City Smokeout also features barbecue cuisine provided by
pit-masters from all over the country, including Houston, Texas’s Truth BBQ and Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker. Tickets for the event are currently on sale, with prices ranging from $35 for a single-day ticket to $625 for a four-day VIP pass. windycitysmokeout.com
Popular music fests back on track Riot Fest will return to the Douglas Park Golf Course Sept. 17-19, riotfest.org, and the first ever ARC Music Festival (electronic, dance and house music) will debut on Sept 4-5 in Union Park, Chicago, arcmusicfestival. com. The Ravinia Festival plans to reopen July 1 with the first three (free) performances planned for health care workers and other pandemic heroes. Their first public performance will be July 5 and the final performance will be Sept. 30. Grant Park Music Festival will open its classical music season on July 2 and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert season begins May 27 and runs through June 13, with limited capacity seating. The city’s new Open Chicago initiative is accelerating the timeline for the return of large-scale events featuring live music.
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| THE BULLETIN | Art Fairs, Garden Walks and more, oh my!
while its Chicago location undergoes renovation. Over 40 dealers from across the country will bring their curated displays of art and antiques, vintage and modern treasures, hand-crafted goods and more to Three Oaks, Michigan beginning Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-30. The entrance fee is $5 per adult, with children under 12 free. One dollar of every ticket purchased will support Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles-Buchanan, Michigan. The market is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the weekends of May 29-30, June 19-20, July 3-4, Aug. 7-8 and Sept. 4-5. randolphstreetmarket.com
Art fairs, garden walks and other festivals return citywide. The Gold Coast Art Fair will be held in Grant Park, Butler Field, Aug. 21-22 with 200 juried artists and food. amdurproductions.com. The Chinatown Summer Fair will be held on July 17-18 on Wentworth Avenue from Cermak to 24th Place in Chicago, ccc-foundation.org. For more listings, visit artfaircalendar.com.
Farmers markets making a comeback Green City Market reopened in May and runs from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. each Wednesday through Oct. 27. The openair market, masks required, is located at approximately 1817 N. Clark St., at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street. The West Loop location will open June 5, visit greencitymarket.org. Other markets now open include Chicago City Markets (CCM) Division Street, CCM Daley Plaza, with Maxwell Street Market scheduled to return June 6. CCM will also be opening in Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Roseland, Pullman and West Humboldt Park. For complete schedule, visit chicagocitymarkets.us. SOAR (Streeterville Organization of Active Residents) Farmers Market opens June 18 on the MCA Plaza and the Glenwood Sunday Market at 1233-1241 Pratt Blvd., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, returns on June 6. See more listings at chicago.gov/city
Pitchfork Music Festival returns The Pitchfork Music Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 12 at Chicago’s Union Park. For its 15th anniversary event, headliners will be Erykah Badu, St. Vincent and Phoebe Bridgers, with feature performances by Big Thief, Angel Olsen, Flying Lotus, Animal Collective, Kim Gordon, Thundercat, Yaeji, Danny Brown, the Fiery Furnaces (their first show in over a decade), Waxahatchee, Cat Power, Jay Electronica, black midi, Ty Segall & Freedom Band, DJ Nate, Jamila Woods, Caroline Polachek, Yves Tumor, and many, many more. pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Historic Walnut Room to host its first drag brunch The historic Walnut Room at Macy’s State Street (111 N. State St.) will host its first drag brunch on June 12 in honor of Pride Month in Chicago. Chicago Nightlife Award winner Lucy Stoole will host a lineup of premier drag artists including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season two contestant Kylie Sonique Love, Drag Queen of the Year 2021 Tenderoni and Minneapolis drag queen Sasha Cassadine. Tickets are $20 and include a gift bag with a $10 store coupon. macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room
Navy Pier announces Memorial Day reopening and summer programs
Former President Obama, painted by Kehinde Wiley.
Obama portraits coming to Art Institute “The Obama Portraits” exhibition will debut at the Art Institute of Chicago June 18-Aug. 15. Paintings of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama, which were first exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, will begin a nationwide tour at the Art Institute of Chicago, where the couple shared their first date. Unveiled in 2018, the Obama portraits were painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. The exhibit then will make its way to Brooklyn, L.A., Atlanta and Houston. www.artic.edu
Family-friendly films return to the parks The Chicago Park District’s “Night Out in the Parks” will return July 6-11, with more than 100 outdoor screenings of family-friendly films. The series will kick off July 6 at Oakdale Park in Chicago. chicagoparkdistrict.com/ movies-parks
Randolph Street Market sets dates for new Three Oaks, Michigan location One of the most popular vintage markets, Randolph Street Market, will be in a new venue this year
As part of the second phase of Navy Pier’s reopening plans, which kicked off in late May, the following will be open and accessible to the public: Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion, Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, Polk Bros Park, North and South Docks, Pier Park (including all rides and attractions,) East End Plaza, tour boats and cruises, the new Sable hotel, some retail shops and select restaurants and parking garages. Four classic series will also return this summer: Wave Wall Moves, Wave Wall Wax, Live on the Lake! and Summer Fireworks.
Big, new ‘Fulton Square’ project set to bring office, apartments to Fulton Market District A big, big project is under contract in the Fulton Market District. According to a recent report in Crain’s by Danny Ecker, the Chicago-based Fulton St. Cos., is under contract to pay approximately $40 million for more than half the block (a 1.1 million-square-foot plan) around 1200 Fulton St. Alex Najem, the company’s co-founder, said the firm plans to redevelop the 2-acre eastern half of the block along with two apartment buildings totaling close to 600 units and a 500,000-square-foot office building.
New art fair, EDITIONS, to debut at Navy Pier in the fall A new art fair, EDITIONS, will debut at Navy Pier, Sept, 23-26. The brainchild of EXPO Chicago founder Tony Karman, the four-day event will host international print, photography and art book dealers and publishers. EDITIONS Chicago will also collaborate with Chicago’s institutions, galleries and artist-run spaces to herald a citywide EXHIBITION Weekend Chicago, Friday, Sept. 24, and Saturday, Sept. 25. For more information on the fair, visit editionschicago.com.
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| FEATURES |
Art Smith’s new restaurant to dish up comfort food
Runners back on course with in-person races
By Nuria Mathog Associate Editor
By Angela Gagnon Staff Writer Chicago runners are eager to toe the starting line and douse the competition after a year of solo running and virtual racing. Heather Wittels ran one of the city’s first post-pandemic, in-person races at Chicago Area Runners Association’s (CARA’s) Wintrust 10 miler on April 17. “It was thrilling to feel the energy of all the runners,” Wittels said. Many are hopeful the Chicago Marathon will return to the streets in October. Melanie Pozdol is registered and has her fingers crossed. “One of the best things about racing Chicago is the amazing crowds, so I’ll be curious how the city will handle that,” she said. CARA member Darren DeMatoff is also feeling confident about the Chicago Marathon. “CARA has done an incredible job creating safety protocols and operational procedures throughout the pandemic, and now the park district is using our race model for other groups requesting permits,” DeMatoff said. In-person road races aren’t the only thing making a comeback this season. Competitive Chicago runner Emily Rybak, who represents the Fleet Feet x New Balance Racing Team, has big goals after undergoing hip surgery last summer. “I’d love to qualify for the Olympic Trials,” Rybak said. “I’m
Chicago runner Emily Rybak trains for marathon following hip surgery. Photo by Angela Gagnon
running Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn. in June, but I hope to run 2:45 by the Chicago Marathon in October.” Rybak’s marathon personal best (PB) is 2:49.12, several minutes more than the current women’s Olympic qualifying time of 2:45. But she faced a challenging hurdle when her left hip flared up in April 2020, and doctors diagnosed her with a labral tear. “Sometimes people can have success with rehab and skip the operation, but I knew that in order to run 60 mile weeks and compete for another PB, I’d have to have surgery,” Rybak said.
Recovery has been long and arduous, but six months postop, Rybak raced the Virtual Shamrock Shuffle 8K in March, surprising herself with a scorching time of 30:33 (6:07 pace) and scoring another PB in the distance. Rybak is now 10 months post surgery, and her training for Grandma’s Marathon is nearly complete. She’s optimistic that all races and events will be back in full swing just in time for the racing season. “I’m really excited to share the experiences with my friends and teammates again,” she said.
Chef Art Smith finds the upcoming opening of his new restaurant, Reunion, at Navy Pier this fall, to be meaningful for two reasons. One, it’s a callback to his culinary beginnings in Chicago, and two, after a year that has been challenging for so many people— and kept them from sharing meals together—it’s a symbol of hope and recovery. Smith, a critically acclaimed celebrity chef who launched his career in Hyde Park, is known for cooking for some of the most influential figures in the world, including Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga and the Obama family. In 2016, he opened his restaurant Blue Door Kitchen & Garden in the Gold Coast, and he also owns a Southern-style Chef Art Smith will open his new restaurant called Homerestaurant, Reunion, at Navy Pier comin’ Kitchen in Disney this fall. Photo submitted Springs, Fla. The concept for Reunion, which will be located at the former site of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at Navy Pier, is rooted in the role that Chicago has played as Smith’s second home. “I made my career in Chicago—it all started with Oprah, and I have my restaurants there,” Smith said. “So, what better place to create Reunion in celebration of a Southern country boy going to the big city and making it big?” While an opening date for the new restaurant has not been announced, Smith and executive chef Hector Guerrero have big plans for the menu, which Smith said will include a unique brand of fried chicken, restaurant favorites such as steaks and barbecue and “lots of wonderful deviled eggs,”—all with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Reunion wouldn’t have been possible without the help of his longtime friend and business partner, Manolis Alpogianis, Smith added. “Behind every great chef, there is a financier extraordinaire who does help to produce and make the chef so that he can be his very best,” Smith said. “It’s a great relationship and friendship between two men who’ve been friends now for over 20 years. And a testament of that is survival through all of this.” Alpogianis, who has operated various businesses at Navy Pier for more than two decades, said he thought the partnership with Smith was a positive move for the pier. “I knew that the pier wanted to take a fresh look at all of the food and beverage programs, and I just couldn’t think of anyone who represented Chicago better, who knew how to feed both visitors and Chicagoans,” he said.
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Candid Candace CITY SEEN
Andrea van der Merwe, Bonnie Fong and Dana Treister. Photos by John Reilly Photography
Liz Sharp and Valeria Gerber.
The Cause: The Joffrey Ballet and Neiman Marcus celebrated a 12-year partnership during their FIRST in-person event since the pandemic began with “Fashion for a Passion,” a luncheon and fashion show. The Setting: Three Neiman Marcus locations (Michigan Avenue, Northbrook and Oakbrook) and their respective general managers (Wendy Krimins, Linda Piepho and Michell Distasio-Flinn) simultaneously hosted events with a live spring fashion show zoomed in from its Northpark Mall in Dallas and curated by buyer Lori Caplin.
Wendy Krimins, Greg Cameron and Noren Ungaretti.
The Scene: Joffrey Women’s Board members Noren Ungaretti, Marcie Wright, Camille Rudy, Heather Martin, Joan Malliband and Jenelle Chalmers were event hosts. Greg Cameron (Joffrey Ballet’s president and CEO) remarked that $11M of a $12M goal had been reached for the Company’s Crisis Stabilization Fund and that the Joffrey will return to the Lyric stage in October. Neiman Marcus graciously donated 10% of eligible sales over 5 days to The Joffrey Ballet.
Brian Smith, Sandi Hartstein ((Joffery Women’s Board president) and Chris Jabin.
Melissa Babcock and Nancy Berman.
Ellie Forman, Danielle Drabkin and Jennifer Fabian.
Kathy Swein and Leslie Logsdon.
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Where Chicago wants to go now Pre- and post-COVID travel hotspots
Can’t you feel it? Chicago is experiencing a rebirth, and it’s sure been a long time in coming. Finally, theaters are open again, Navy Pier is Candace Jordan allowing limited COLUMNIST guests, the Chicago Auto Show is coming back, cultural institutions are cautiously reopening, the sun is shining and most people are vaccinated now. As of April, data from the CDC tallied over 150,000,000 vaccines being administered across the country. Mayor Lightfoot is feeling optimistic too, announcing recently that she expects Chicago to be open by July. I know I’m feeling safer about going places and had no qualms whatsoever about a recent trip to Florida. We even renewed our passports and made sure we have vaccination certificates
just in case opportunities arise. I know many of my friends are getting antsy too and are cautiously making their own plans for post-COVID travel. But it might be too late already. According to Kairos Travel agent Philip Haslett, “It’s already impossible to get rooms on the French Riviera.” (Well, there goes that idea!) Anyway, I asked some of my favorite Chicagoans for their top, past travel destinations as well as what’s on their wish list moving forward. Check out their favorite hotspots and see where they want to go next. As for Chuck and me, who knows where the wind might blow us? I’m always up for anything and, since we’ve been lucky to have traveled quite a bit in the past, I would like to set my sights on the U.S.A., maybe in a Chevrolet, getting our kicks along Route 66! Follow Candid Candace on Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn and Twitter, and see complete articles and photos online
Media executive Fred Weintraub, who spends 150 days on the road each year, relaxing in the Maldives. The couple’s next adventure, he hopes, will be to New Zealand.
Paul Iacono, president Chicago Dowel Company, enjoying ice cream in Lake Como. Next stop: the Maldives or Positano.
York Furrier’s Kathy Rezny having fun at the Original Cheesehead Factory in Milwaukee, Wis.
Kadmiel Christmas, owner Adon Solutions, and wife Whitney in Tulum. Their next trip will be to Tel Aviv for a wedding.
Giordano Dance Chicago’s Nan Giordano and friends in Punta Mita, Mexico. She hopes her next trip will be to Latin America to teach the Giordano Dance Technique.
Luxury real estate broker, Emily Sachs Wong and family, in Marrakech. She hopes to relax with a shaman in Tulum on a future trip.
Personal fashion consultant Heather Farley Ingram and Bruce Ingram in downtown Stuart, Fla. Their next big adventure will be island hopping in the Hawaiian Islands.
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Luxury travel agent, Alicia Pacini, and fiance Art Bresnahan at the Pyramids of Giza. Their next trip in 2022 will be on small ship cruises to Tahiti and along the Danube. Philanthropist-professional singer Shelley MacArthur Farley (top middle) and friends enjoying the Greek Islands. She hopes to go to Bali and return to the Maldives. Marc Brooks, pres-CEO Hyde Park Hospitality, and daughters in Maui in January. Hopes to visit Accra, Ghana, Australia or Lake Como next.
Al, Lucia and Pam Capitanini skiing in Aspen before their next trip, renting Zsa Zsa Gabor’s house in Palm Springs.
Yvette Cusack (pres. BJC Designs) and husband Rick at Nikki Beach in St. Bart’s, French West Indies. Their next trip will be to South Africa.
Alicia Pacini, luxury travel agent, at the Taj Mahal.
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Taking custody of the canine
Dear Candid Candace: My daughter is going through an acrimonious divorce. She and her soon-to-be ex-husband share two large huskies which they often allow to sleep in their bed. Now lawyers have been hired to mediate the custody of their dogs. I thought this was the stuff of crazy reality TV courtroom shows. I can’t believe my own child is now fighting over the dog. It’s affecting my respect for her as a grown woman. She has fallen from grace in my eyes. How do I get over my feeling of disappointment and still support her through this difficult time in her life? —Judgmental Dear Judgmental: I am in complete accord with your daughter who loves animals, as I do. Frankly, I would’ve hired OJ Simpson’s Dream Team to fight this. Animals, to some people, are more like family than humans. And they certainly aren’t “judgmental.” I think you need to rethink this harsh stance and have a little more love and compassion in your heart for all God’s creatures, especially for your own dear daughter who needs your support now more than ever. Dear Candid Candace: My neighbors hate my dog. They give me dirty looks whenever I go in and
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out of my apartment with my dog. Their hostility makes me uncomfortable but what can be done? My dog barks sometimes but not excessively. I’ve wanted to confront them about their greasy stares, but I cannot think of the appropriate thing to open with. I want to try and turn things around. —Dog’s best friend Dear Dog’s best friend: My first instinct would be to get a second, even louder dog, maybe an angry little Chihuahua (my favorite breed!) Kidding aside, I guess it’s just hard for me to understand how anyone could not love animals. And frankly, I can’t imagine a worse living situation. But Candid Candace is trying to be kind here so I would gently ask them how you can make this situation better for them and apologize for your dog, who is only being a dog. If this doesn’t work, perhaps obedience training would help you learn how to quiet the little guy. Sadly, human nature can’t be controlled. Perhaps in your neighbors’ past, they had an unpleasant encounter with a dog and they haven’t gotten over it? As uncomfortable as this situation is, not everyone walks the same paths in life so maybe a little “milk of human kindness” might be in order here too. Also, I’m hoping pets are allowed in your building and that this isn’t the cause for their “greasy” stares? Send questions to: CandidCandace@ ChicagoStarMedia.com. Follow Candid Candace (Candace Jordan) on Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Amanda Puck with turkey fennel meatballs and spaghetti. Photo by Maria Ponce
CANDID CANDACE:
Get Cookin’ with... Amanda Puck
A
manda Puck is quite simply, a whirlwind. She was the first host of the popular “Check, Please” show on WTTW-Channel 11, where she won two Emmys during the two seasons she steered the panel as they discussed their favorite Chicago restaurants. As a much loved foodie, she’s transferred this love to Mariano’s, where she is Director of Strategic Brand Development. She (and Mariano’s) are also important in the community, building awareness for brands such as the Bud Billiken Parade, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago Gourmet and I Am A Gentleman INC. (a nonprofit that empowers young men for successful careers and healthy lifestyles). In her time off, she and husband Billy Rairigh love drinking and learning about wine from their two favorite wine clubs: Mavens and Aficionados and Rimessa Roscioli. They also love walking around Chicago, taking road trips, making pasta and traveling to Italy. At home, you will always find them in the kitchen listening to their favorite musician, Louis Prima. When cooking for friends and family, one of Amanda’s top go-to dishes is fennel
turkey meatballs, which she said, “paired with your favorite pasta is divine.” Fennel Turkey Meatballs 1 package Jenni O Lean Turkey 99% - I know this sounds crazy, but trust me and my family, they are delicious 2 cloves garlic, chopped ¼ cup breadcrumbs ¼ Mariano’s White Gold Parmigiano Reggiano grated from cheese department ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley One egg Splash of water Salt and pepper Crushed red pepper flakes Add ingredients into a really big bowl and thoroughly mix together with your hands. Roll into about 2-inch size balls—I bake mine on a cookie sheet, for about 15 minutes until done on 350 degrees, but you can lightly pan fry them as well. l
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Perfect with your favorite pasta, a little butter, chickpeas, sauteed spinach and cheese. Thanks so much Amanda! Bon appetit everyone!
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| COMMUNITY CORNER |
Doorperson of the Month John Edward Patterson, 21 W. Chestnut Street Condominiums
By Jacqueline Davis Freelance Reporter After a career that spanned 25 years in government administration, management and staff support, James Edward Patterson found an open door to an opportunity that changed his career path. First becoming a floater for one of eight properties in 1995 with real estate and finance company Draper and Kramer, Patteson began seeing new faces and new places throughout Chicagoland. In January 2015, he became a full time doorman for 21 W. Chestnut Street Condominiums. “A door opened for me here, and I decided to step into that door,” Patterson said. “And to my intrigue, for one whose passion is serving people and having brought that from government, I found a different way that I can serve—a challenging way, but a different way, no less.” Patterson resides in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, where he claims he has come full circle. As a second generation Chicagoan, Patterson lived in other parts of Chicago, before eventually settling back in his roots with his wife and children. Living in a segregated Chicago in the early 1960s, Patterson was led down an oratory path in just second grade where he, as one of few black children
JUNE 2021 / 13
Summer in Style; Summer in Streeterville!
There is literally something for everyone from Studio Rentals to multi-million dollar lakefront luxury. Call Gail your local expert on Streeterville Real Estate for the latest on what’s available, what’s changing and what there is to look forward to in Streeterville’s future!
This private boat slip & this View could be yours!
John Edward Patterson is the 2nd shift doorperson at the 21 W. Chestnut Street Condominiums. Photos by Jacqueline Davis
21 W. Chestnut Street Condominiums.
in a predominantly white school, began doing public speaking, discussing matters such as black history, equity and the good word. Aside from his love for reading and great conversation, Patterson said he enjoys living his life one day at a time. As a husband, father of two sons and a grandfather to three grandchildren, he enjoys quality time with his family where good food, the news and television and films fill their home.
Patterson said his affinity for public service and engaging with others has made his experience as a second shift doorperson extraordinary. A man of profound speech, Patterson rarely answered a simple question without an existential observation attached. “My experience has been a great one, for as much as I have a love for humanity…it’s that compassion for humanity that allows me to see, to touch, to feel, to engage my fellow man,” he said. “It has been stupendous, to say the least.” To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@ chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.
Your Streeterville Expert (312) 925-7668 Gail@StreetervilleProperties.com
14 / JUNE 2021
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| EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@chicagostarmedia.com
June 1
Tuesdays on the Terrace The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s jazz concert series, featuring Chicago’s premier jazz vocalists, instrumentalists and composers, will return to the MCA terrace this summer. Performances are scheduled every Tuesday evening through Aug. 31. Concerts are free to the public, and guests can bring their own food or enjoy refreshments from the bar. Advance reservations are required and can be made online. 5:30 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., mcachicago.org, (312) 397-4010 Bisa Butler: Portraits The first solo museum exhibition of artist Bisa Butler’s work, co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Katonah Museum of Art, features more than 20 textile portraits with themes such as family, community, migration and the promise of youth. The exhibition is set to run through Sept. 6. Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., artic.edu, (312) 443-3600 Ray Bradbury: Indistinguishable This exhibit at the newly reopened American Writers Museum runs through May 2022 and focuses on the life of science fiction and fantasy author Ray Bradbury, best known for works such as “Fahrenheit 451,” “The Martian Chronicles” and “The Illustrated Man.” American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., second floor, americanwritersmuseum.org Housing for a Changing Nation This new Chicago Architecture Center installation, sponsored by the AARP Foundation and AARP Illinois, takes a look at how architects are replacing outdated 19th and 20th century housing with homes designed with diverse and fast-changing multi-generational communities in mind. The newly reopened architecture center will also feature 30 new building models in the Chicago City Model Experience, seven new scale models of towers around the world, a
new exhibit focused on Chicago’s 77 community areas and more. Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Drive, architecture.org, (312) 922-3432
June 2
Chicago Cultural Center reopening Visitors will be able to stop by the Chicago Cultural Center in person and explore the building’s new amenities and two new exhibitions, “Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford: League of Nations” and “what flies but never lands.” Additionally, Buddy, a new shop created in conjunction with the Public Media Institute that showcases goods and artwork from Chicago artists and manufacturers, will be open to the public. Visit chicagoculturalcenter.org Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., chicagoculturalcenter.org
June 4
Get Growing! Expo Learn about all things plants—in person. Over the course of three weekends, Team Get Growing will visit communities across Chicagoland to connect and inspire. Plant experts will be on-hand to teach you how to maximize your green space. Each event will have interactive garden vignettes to teach planting basics. Learn how to plant your own vegetable garden, build a terrarium to take home and shop from Plant Truck Chicago. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., June 4-6, Pioneer Court, 401 Michigan Ave.; June 11-13, Stone Temple Baptist Church, 3607 W. Douglas Blvd.; June 18-20, Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield, getgrowingfoundation.org/ expo, (312) 241-1249
p.m., Island Party Boat, 355 East Riverwalk South, islandpartyhut.com
June 9
June 12-13
Dueling Pianos Boat Party Windy City Dueling Pianos combines high energy live music played on two pianos by two highly skilled entertainers with hilarious, interactive comedy! Enjoy the show on a premiere boat with full bar, views of the city and a musical comedy extravaganza. Tickets are on sale at ebrite.com. $30, 6 p.m. and 7:30
Switching on the spray Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is captured at 8:03 p.m. on reopening day, May 22. Photo by Joel Quintanella
Old Town Art Fair Voted America’s No. 1 art fair for the fourth consecutive year, this event will feature more than 200 nationally acclaimed artists, a garden walk, live music, food court and Children’s Corner. Enjoy artwork such as 2D and 3D mixed media, drawings, paintings, photography, printmaking, ceramics, glass,
fiber, jewelry and works in metal, stone and wood.10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 12 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 13, rain or shine, Old Town Triangle Historic District, intersection of North Lincoln Avenue and West Wisconsin Street, oldtownartfair. org, (312) 337-1938
June 14
Fore PAWS PAWS Chicago is excited to host this inaugural golf outing benefiting homeless pets in Chicago. Golfers will enjoy
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| EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@chicagostarmedia.com lunch, playing on an 18-hole championship course, dinner and a program. Sponsorship and in-kind donation opportunities are available. Shotgun start at noon, Westmoreland Country Club, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette, teampaws@pawschicago.org, (773) 935-7297
June 19
Summer Beer Tasting A new take on The Morton Arboretum’s popular beer and cider festivals, the Summer Beer Tasting features twenty local craft breweries serving seasonal and flagship brews, ciders, and meads. Tasting booths will be safely spread out along the Meadow Lake, Frost Hill, and Conifer walking paths. Each ticket purchase includes twenty 3-ounce beer samples, with more than 40 samples to select from during the event. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, mortonarb.org, (630) 968-0074
June 24
Golf 101 Learn how to talk the talk before you tee off! Perfect your swing with pointers from a golf pro! Enjoy spiked Arnold Palmers and a casual night of networking! 5:30-7 p.m., Mid-America Club, 200 E. Randolph St., 80th floor. To register, call (312) 856-9484 or email melissa. czyz@clubcorp.com
June 26
West Loop Spirits & Wine with Chocolate Festival It’s festival time in the red-hot West Loop and historic Randolph Street Market District! Join fun-lovers at the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium Plumbers Hall, to support Chicago Canine Rescue from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 26, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Enjoy delicious chocolate, wine and spirits with 100 percent of the Spirits & Wine Tasting sales benefiting Chicago Canine Rescue. All non-alcoholic artisan chocolate and specialty samples are
complimentary. Free on-site parking. Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium - Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Boulevard. For more information, visit stayhappening.com Seltzerland Enjoy dozens of hard seltzers at this summer celebration. General admission comes with more than 30 hard seltzer samples, a White Claw drawstring bag and food truck bites for purchase. VIP admission includes an additional full can of hard seltzer, ghost tequila specialty cocktail, complimentary lunch and premier time slots. Attendees must be 21 or older. Marovitz Golf Course, 3701 N. Recreation Drive, seltzerland.com
Father’s Day events—June 20 Brunch in the Loop Enjoy classic foods and bottomless mimosas with dad at this brunch presented by Alhambra Palace & City Night Events. Sample dishes such as scrambled eggs, chicken and waffles, sausage, fruits, hash browns, pastries, grilled vegetables, meatballs with marinara, beef quesadillas and chicken fajitas. A $5 per person gratuity will be charged upon arrival. Tickets at eventbrite.com. $40, noon-2:30 p.m., with an after party from 2:30-6 p.m., Alhambra Restaurant, 1240 W. Randolph St.
June 26-27
Pride in the Park 2021 Pride in the Park, presented by Truly Hard Seltzer, returns to Grant Park with a lineup that includes Chaka Khan, Gryffin DJ set, Tiesto, Circuitmom, Denali Foxx, Tenderoni, Jomama and many more. Held in the Petrillo Bandshell, the event will also feature food, dancing and merchandise vendors with a portion of the sales again benefiting The Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s most comprehensive LGBTQ community center. 3-10 p.m., Grant Park, 280 S. Columbus Drive, prideintheparkchicago.com.
June 27
Make-a-Wish Illinois Wish Ball Make-a-Wish Illinois will host its annual Wish Ball virtually. View this inspirational and entertaining evening which brings together Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and wish kids like co-emcee Gavin, age 10. The evening will include mission stories as well as live and silent auctions. Registration to view this live broadcast from Revel Fulton Market is free ($250+ donation, similar to a ticket price, is recommended.) The event will raise funds to help provide life-changing wishes for critically ill children. 6 p.m., wish.org.
unique experience your dad will never forget. See the city from a new perspective together and treat him to delicious food, fun deck games and unbeatable skyline views aboard the Father’s Day Cruise. Brunch: Board at noon, cruise: 12:30-2:30 p.m. From $57.90. Private table with views of the Chicago skyline, buffet-style menu, onboard entertainment with DJ music. For reservations, call (888) 957-2634 or visit spiritcruises.com/chicago/cruises/holiday/ fathers-day Unique Chicago-made gifts Shop local for Father’s Day. Start out with a fabulous, iconic Eli’s Cheesecake, “Chicago’s Finest” Cheesecake since 1980. Eli’s offers gourmet, handmade cheesecakes, layer cakes, brownies, and more, including a wide array of gift options. elischeesecake.com Why not flowers for Dad? Luxe Bloom creates custom arrangements that will last up to 60 days, any color, any design. luxebloom.com
A Chicago Sports Museum Tour includes memorabilia and artifacts.
VIP Chicago Sports Museum Tour Sports lovers will dig the VIP Experience at the Chicago Sports Museum, a one-hour tour led by museum founder Grant DePorter. Tour highlights include the opportunity to hold and take photos with memorabilia and artifacts such as the White Sox 2005 World Championship last-out bat and David Ross’s catcher’s gear from Game 7 of the 2016 Cubs World Series. $30 (free for children under 3), 11 a.m. Chicago Sports Museum, 835 N. Michigan Ave., chicagosportsmuseum.com Spirit of Chicago Father’s Day brunch cruise A cruise aboard Spirit of Chicago isn’t just a creative Father’s Day gift—it’s a
Popcorn is always a great gift There’s none better that Garrett’s Popcorn, hand-crafted, fresh, original, Chicago-style. Order Garrett’s popcorn online and skip the lines. Made the day they ship. Garrett Popcorn Shops has been popping Chicago’s most craveable snack since 1949. Try their famous Garrett Mix, the original sweet and salty combination of CaramelCrisp and CheeseCorn recipes that started the craze. garrettpopcorn.com Do you have a sporty dad? How about a Dinger Bat, a baseball bat that you can make your own. Dinger Bats have been used by players on Major League Baseball teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and, most notably, the Chicago Cubs. Make Dad feel like a pro with a personalized bat built to fit his personality and taste. dingerbats.com
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Streeterville Week launch celebrates local businesses By Chicago Star Media Chicago Star Media kicked off its second annual Streeterville Week event on May 21 with a lively party that brought together dozens of prominent Chicagoans in support of downtown businesses. The event, held at the Mariano’s Lakeshore East patio, featured food, beverages and live performances from Doorstep Divas singers, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator from ZZAZZ Productions and a magician. Guests at the party included Chicago Star Media staff and board members, reporters, entertainers and representatives from local businesses. Attendees enjoyed giveaways from participating Streeterville Week Chicago businesses, including bracelets from Pinstripes, keychains from Park Hyatt, raisin crisps from Labriola and flowers from Mangel’s Florists. One attendee won a free one-night stay at the newly opened Sable Hotel at Navy Pier.
Decorations at the event showcased the generosity of the local business community—Kehoe Designs contributed a photo frame for Instagram shots and Luxe Blooms donated a colorful rose plaque in the shape of the Chicago Star Media logo. Streeterville Week was created in November 2020 as an initiative designed to lift community spirits, boost morale and encourage residents and visitors to shop locally. More than two dozen local businesses took part in the inaugural event, with some participants, such as Pinstripes, seeing over 40 percent increases in revenue. This year, more than three dozen restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other downtown businesses took part in Streeterville Week 2021, which ran from May 21-31. Among the offerings at the 10-day event were free fitness classes and discounts on membership packages, special choice menus at restaurants and staycation
A capacity crowd attended Chicago Star’s kick-off party for Streeterville Week at Mariano’s Lakeshore East. Photos by Kristan Lieb
options at hotels highlighting VIP perks. The Chicago Star Media team is excited to announce the launch of the Star Club, a new networking group designed to help local businesses collaborate and build relationships. Membership is $350 for individuals, $500 for businesses with more than 10 employees and $1,000 for businesses with 10 or more employees. Members of this exclusive program have access to special member events, the opportunity to include their logo on the Chicago Star Media website and participation in company email blasts to city property managers and an extensive network of local leaders.
The “stars” come out for Chicago Star’s exciting kick-off party for Streeterville Week at Mariano’s Lakeshore East. The Marilyn Monroe character was courtesy of ZZAZZ Productions.
JOIN OUR FAMILY!
STAR CLUB Benefits include discounts at local businesses and member networking events. Individual and Corporate memberships available. Join us today at chicagostarmedia.com/starclub.
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| LOCAL LEADER |
Dr. Helene Gayle leads Chicago Community Trust with eye on equity By Nuria Mathog When Dr. Helene Gayle first moved to Chicago, what struck her about the Windy City was its residents’ “incredible pride” in the neighborhoods and communities where they lived. “I really love the love that people have for this city, and in the short period of time that I’ve been here, I’ve really grown to love the city as well,” she said. “The other part of Chicago that I just love is diversity.” Since 2017, Gayle has worked to reduce Chicago’s racial and ethnic wealth inequities as the president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. Gayle is also known for her former role as president and CEO of CARE International, a global humanitarian organization, and for her past work directing programs focused on HIV/AIDS prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. What first sparked your interest in medicine and public health? I started out in medicine because I wanted to have a career that I felt would make a positive contribution to society. When I was growing up, my parents put a great deal of emphasis on getting a good education, stretching ourselves and doing as much as we could, and also using education as a way to give back and make a difference in society. In that era, if you wanted to have a good profession, you either became a doctor or a lawyer. I had two sisters who were lawyers, so I said, ‘I’ll
be the doctor.’ I really thought of health as a very tangible way that you could make a difference. The Chicago Community Trust has worked closely with the city to launch Together We Rise: For an Equitable and Just Recovery. What are your hopes for that initiative? If you look at what happened with the recession of 2008-2009, a lot of the communities were hard-hit and never recovered. Our hope is that with Together We Rise, we can bring the community together—the business community, the philanthropic community and residents themselves—in a way that ensures that equity is an important lens through which we look at recovery and ensure that communities that were most hard-hit don’t get left behind. What is the most rewarding aspect of your role with the organization? What I love about the organization is that it’s this wonderful blend of being able to provide resources to the community and also being very close to the community. And I think it’s our proximity to the people that we serve that, for me, is really inspiring—to be able to work with the partners that we work with. Although we’re a major civic actor, nothing that we can do would be done well without partnerships. What does being a leader mean to you? First of all, it’s an honor and a privilege to be a leader of an incredible organization like the trust. ... I think of myself as out in front, leading the charge, but really working in charge with a wide range of
Dr. Helene Gayle visited Kenya during her previous role as president and CEO of CARE International.
stakeholders, working in partnership in a way that really brings people together. For me, leadership is all about listening, partnership, developing relationships and using the tools that I might have to be able to advance a mission. This has been a divisive and difficult year for many people here in Chicago. How do you think we can best find common ground and heal as a community? It’s about finding the things that we have in common and building on them. We all have common aspirations for ourselves, our families and our community. I think if we just build on those things that we have in common, it gives us the chance to then address the things that may divide us.
Dr. Helene Gayle attends a COVID-19 vaccination event at Esperanza Health Centers. Photos courtesy of Dr. Helene Gayle
18 / JUNE 2021
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| BOOK REVIEW | ‘Net of Deception’ by Dr. Michael Young
Corruption, deception, greed in the digital age By Jacqueline Davis Freelance Writer
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L I M I T E D S E AT I N G U P S C A L E C A S U A L AT T I R E R E S E R VAT I O N S AVA I L A B L E V I A O P E N TA B L E , T O C K O R C A L L I N G T H E C L U B AT 3 1 2 . 8 6 1.1 1 0 0 T H E M I D -A M E R I C A C LU B 20 0 E R A N D O L P H , 8 0 T H F L R , C H I C AG O
Dr. Michael J. Young is a professor by day, medical-instrument inventor by evening... and by night? A brilliant author. His third novel “Net of Deception,” covers a “web” of topics, including greed, corruption and deception in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. “Net of Deception” follows the lives of three affluent men—a wealthy businessman, a U.S. senator, and a hospital administrator doctor—who all fall victim to an online sexual-enhancement drug dispensary scheme. Unbeknownst to the men, the nefarious and greedy owner of the online drug company is stealing their personal information online while plotting to wield control over their lives. Meant to be read in 4-5 hours, the book is a page-turner. Young unmasks the dark side of the web and offers a terrifying look at how easily safety is compromised. Young, who is a urologist, said he intended his novel to be disturbing and “a little creepy.” “I wanted this to be bothersome because people need to be cognizant of the risks out there,” he said.
Dr. Michael J. Young said he wanted to showcase greed and American entitlement in his recent novel “Net of Deception.” Photo by Jacqueline Davis
“I can’t remember a time in my life where I have received more spam calls, more nefarious phishing emails that look really good. You really have to be mindful of the risks.” There have been times in Young’s practice when he felt he spent a significant amount of time trying to tamper the anxieties of entitled people. “I personally have a few issues that bother me,” he said. “Greed is one, entitlement is another—American entitlement—so, I wanted to showcase that.” Young also wanted
to call out a new trend among Americans—the too-easy process of buying medications online. “These drugs are not candy. These drugs have side effects, these drugs are risky,” he said. “I decided to write a story about murder, using that as the predicate, with health care in the background, and try to weave in my concerns about cybersecurity and cyber manipulation in the cyber ecosphere and use medicine as the backdrop.” Young’s novel can be ordered through Amazon.
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| NEWS BREAK |
Tough love for baseball from a loyal ‘sports guy’
D
ear Baseball, Can we talk? You know I love you, but you are headed down a dangerous path, one that could lead Jon Cohn to your evenCOMMUNITY tual demise. CONTRIBUTOR The problem? Quite precisely, you have gotten way too slow. Painfully slow. Now don’t get me wrong, it is not the length of the game that is the problem. The average major league game today lasts three hours and seven minutes. Not so bad. The real problem is the inactivity during the game. There’s not enough actual action.
All your younger fans are used to things happening faster than a click of the latest something-G network and older folks like me have lost patience too. Too many strike outs, foul balls, stoppages for replays, and worst of all are the pitchers who step off the mound, taking deep breaths between every pitch as if world peace depended on it. Throw in all the scratching, twitching and “adjusting” that batters do, and you start to get the idea of the painful slowness. So, listen carefully, my wonderful national pastime. I am going to give you some suggestions that may be painful to hear, but I think could help: Pitchers must throw the ball within seven seconds. Batters can only step out one time per at bat. Managers just signal
to change pitchers instead of the usual slow walk to the mound. Cut time between innings in half. Let’s move on to more extreme measures. Start with a one and one count, let
foul balls bounce off the netting and back in play, or instead of a walk, let batters hit off a tee. Anything to get the ball in play so we can watch fielders field and runners run! Okay, maybe a little drastic there, but you get the point. I know this little talk may have been tough to hear. Changing long-standing traditions is hard. Most of all, I am glad we had this little time together. And please remember, although I might appear more interested in the hot dogs, beer and socializing with others, I will always love you. Jon Cohn is a New Eastside resident. Email ideas for Jon to info@chicagostarmedia.com
Community photo
Jumble
Send photos and captions of things going on in the neighborhood to info@chicagostarmedia.com for a chance for your photo to be featured.
ACONE NIICPC PIAGCNM IWNMSGIM AOTIANVC OLPECSIP The longest or shortest day of the year. Previous puzzle answer: Related to, or happening during the spring. VERNAL
WHERE AM I? Do you know where this is? If you think you know this spot, email us at info@chicagostarmedia.com
Answers to May Where am I? Chicago Fire Department location on Columbus Drive, between Wacker and Randolph, and the Intersection of Wells and Ohio streets. The CFD site was identified by readers Judy Svadba, Alan Ferguson and Gail Zelitzky. Chicagoans are taking to the skies again! Photo taken May 8 by Leigh Primack
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